Cobbles & Chloe Francis-Oakley: Back With A Bang!

Chloe Francis-Oakley and Cobbles Kitchen & Deli were our cover stars back in the winter of 2016. Nearly a decade on and through challenges, change and the odd kitchen shift, they’re back in full bloom – fairy lights, feasting tables and all.

When we last featured Chloe Francis-Oakley and her beloved Cobbles Kitchen & Deli, the business was celebrating its first anniversary and things were thriving. Weddings were taking off, locals couldn’t get enough of the breakfasts and brunches, and the team Chloe had built around her felt more like family than staff. But then the world stopped.

What followed for Chloe was not just the typical Covid-era struggle we’ve heard before. This was personal. A deep hit to the gut of a dream. As lockdowns stretched on, Cobbles lost all of its chefs and most of its team. Chloe, like so many in the hospitality trade, was left trying to hold it all together – running the kitchen, doing the admin, washing dishes, keeping the lights on at home and work and being a mother to three children.

Eventually, something had to give. “I remember just sitting outside the house in the car and crashing,” Chloe says. Not in dramatic fashion, but with the quiet exhaustion of someone who’d been holding the weight of an entire business – and life – on her shoulders.

With the restaurant closed, and government loans helping keep the wheels turning (which she’s still paying off), Chloe focused on what could stay open – the deli. And thank goodness she did. As locals fell in love all over again with Cobbles’ stacked sandwiches, house-made baked goods, and New York-style indulgence, the deli became the heartbeat of the business. A heartbeat strong enough to open a second location – this time at The Goodsheds in Barry, complete with Deliveroo and Uber Eats offerings. And yet, through it all, the restaurant – her first love – called her back.

Enter The Catch @ Cobbles
During lockdown, Chloe launched The Catch @ Cobbles, a stylish, no-fuss fish and chip cabin nestled right next to the main venue. What could have been a temporary solution quickly became a permanent success. Locals queued out the door.

“We opened on a Bank Holiday and got absolutely slammed,” Chloe laughs. “But it showed us there was a real appetite for good-quality takeaway done properly.” And that’s exactly what The Catch offers. Fresh fish from local suppliers, handmade pies, rissoles, quality meat and veg – all served with a Cobbles twist. Think chippy, but elevated. Not greasy spoons, but golden- crisp dreams. The Catch continues to offer a street-food twist on fish & chips, and with a new Southern-inspired winter menu launching soon, there’s even more reason to make a stop.

At the end of 2022, Chloe made the tough decision to pause service to protect quality while struggling to recruit the right team. Weddings and events kept the barns buzzing, along with the deli and The Catch, but day-to-day dining was put on hold.

In January of this year, with two exceptional chefs on board, Cobbles Kitchen reopened. And now, as it celebrates a decade in business, the restaurant is back with a renewed identity, a fresh menu and a revived energy.

The 10th anniversary is being marked with a menu refresh designed around one idea: bringing people together. This autumn, rustic weekday sharing platters are the new signature. “Platters are social by nature,” Chloe says. “They turn an ordinary lunch into a reason to gather.” The breakfasts are hearty and local and the Sunday roasts are back, offering something to look forward to each week. Afternoon tea platters, available every day (with booking required), are also a huge hit with visitors.

The Weddings
Soulful, Stylish, and Full of Feast
Weddings at Cobbles are, in a word, magic. Housed in a Grade II-listed 16th-century barn, the venue carries a warm, unpretentious beauty – thick stone walls, character in every beam, soft light that flatters everything it touches. “It’s the feel of the place,” Chloe explains. “It has such a lovely energy. People pick up on that straight away.”

The venue is perfect for every moment of a wedding, from the Loft Room for ceremonies and celebrations to countless photo opportunities around every corner. But it’s not just about the venue. It’s about the food. Forget chicken or beef and tick-the-box menus. Cobbles is built for feasting. Long tables, hearty portions, shared dishes – food that brings people together. From slow-roasted meats to vibrant vegan spreads, Cobbles offers the kind of food that has guests talking about the wedding long after the last song.

Add to that their ever-popular afternoon teas and Sunday roasts, and you’ve got a venue that can take you from “Yes” to “I do” and then some.

Looking Ahead
As Cobbles celebrates a decade of success, Chloe is looking to the future with new energy. The next big goal? Accommodation. Somewhere nearby where wedding guests can stay. It’s the natural next step, and knowing Chloe, it won’t be long before it’s a reality. “The deli showed me how much people want what we offer,” she says. “That’s why I want to expand that side of things even more. But the restaurant will always be my baby.”

Today, Cobbles Kitchen, Cobbles Sandwich Co., The Catch, and Cobbles Weddings and Events all operate as part of The Cobbles Collective. Chloe, along with Deli Managers Bud, Ash, and the entire team, are incredibly proud of how the brand has grown. “Our brilliant team is the heart of everything,” she says. “They make it all happen, and we’re so grateful for their hard work and dedication.”

A New Chapter
As winter rolls in, Cobbles Kitchen is more than just a restaurant – it’s a true gathering place. Whether it’s the new weekday sharing platters, hearty breakfasts, or those unmissable Sunday roasts, there’s something to warm you up and bring you together.

With the team now firmly back in place, Chloe can’t wait to see what the next decade has in store for Cobbles. The restaurant has been transformed, but the heart of it remains the same: bringing people together with great food in a warm, welcoming space.

Special Offers
10% off at Cobbles Kitchen when you mention VLAU2025 – valid until 31st March 2026.

Free venue hire for milestone birthday celebrations (November to March).
Contact weddings@cobbleskitchen.co.uk

The team recently attended the Welsh National Wedding Awards at Brangwyn Hall and came away with the award for Best Customer Service in Wales. Chloe said, “We were all so surprised and proud to be recognised.”